It’s essentially a road-legal version of the track-only Elise Cup R, sitting above the Elise S Club Racer, Sport and Touring in LCM’s range. Prices start at RM316,127 (on-the-road without insurance), going up to RM346,127 if you spec it up with the optional Performance Induction Kit and ultra-lightweight forged wheels with semi-slick Yokohama A048 tyres (as pictured here).

Lotus says it’s up to three seconds faster than the standard Elise S model around the Hethel test track. And that’s with the same mid-mounted supercharged 1.8 litre VVT-i four-cylinder engine with 217 hp (220 PS) at 6,800 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. The 952 kg-Elise 220 Cup rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds through a six-speed manual transmission.

The aerodynamic additions, all specific to the Elise 220 Cup, definitely look the part. A new front splitter, lateral bargeboards, a fixed blacked-out roof, a large spoiler and a massive rear diffuser – all fully functional, of course – are unique to this hardcore variant. Bilstein dampers, Eibach coaxial coil springs, AP Racing two-pot front calipers and Brembo rear calipers are all standard too.

Another surprise at the showroom is the Lotus Exige S Automatic, which is now on sale in Malaysia from RM432,919 in Coupe guise, and RM435,919 as a Roadster (both prices before options). The six-speed auto Exige S gets a 3.5 litre supercharged V6 engine with 345 hp at 7,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, and shoots up to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds (4.0 for the Roadster).

The last treat is the Lotus Evora S Automatic. While this model has been around for a while now, the two display vehicles come fully decked-out with a big rear wing, suede-covered dashboard and black Recaro seats with red highlights. It’s all part of the run-out model line-up, we’re told, before the heavily upgraded Evora 400 comes about.

Despite the exterior and interior add-ons however, the run-out Evoras are priced the same as before – RM503,141 for the manual and RM514,141 for the auto. Using the same mechanical package as the Exige S, the heavier Evora gets to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds in manual form, or just 0.1 slower as an automatic.

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

VVT is good. The Elise is hands down the best handling. You can pick up an older one for cheap but be ready to replace the seats as the stock are brutal on the back side (older models)
IMHO this is one of the last pure affordable street legal sports cars out there. You get just what you need. Easy to fix/reliable with a Toyota based drive train. Oh man I’m going driving again! L8R

You r right, m8.. Hills and corner are more fun.. Test the engineering to the limit.. True car is combination of superior handling, power to weight ratio, good acceleration (4.6s), fast at corner, good weight distribution.. lightweight, strong, rigid aluminium monocoque but a bit dull interior..

exactly, when you talk about Lotus you won’t care so much about the interior, exterior, engine and everything. all you need to care is the feeling of Dr Mahathir. sir i sudah support you, nak project please

Well… Malaysians always bash Lotus, in the other hand the British always proud of the brand. There are a lot of reviews on the internet about Lotus cars. Reviews by professionals who had driven various cars, and there are also reviews by people who had driven some Japanese cars and they think they know everything about cars. As for me, I would prefer professional reviews. You can Google yourself about Lotus cars reviews.

You are right, m8.. They think they know everything.. I am always read reviews from professional, not from this basher and full hatred monkey.. Lotus is design for better handling, more power to weight ratio, aluminium chassis/monocoque to reduce weight, strong and rigid chassis, good in track.. But a bit dull interior.. Compare this lotus to Merc, they are just going full retard..

Unfortunately this car is too cheap for the elite (who tend to splash on these performance vehicles) but too expensive for the ‘just well-off’ (who will have to consider between this or a proper 4-door luxury sedan).

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